www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/417,514
`
`05/20/2019
`
`Chong Soon LIM
`
`735256.409C1
`
`9210
`
`Seed IP Law Group LLP/Panasonic (PIPCA)
`701 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
`Seattle, WA 98104
`
`PARIKH, DAKSHESH D
`
`ART UNIT
`
`2488
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`10/29/2021
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`USPTOeAction @ SeedIP.com
`
`pairlinkdktg @seedip.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1,8,14,20,27,33 and 39-46 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C] Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1,8,14,20,27,33 and 39-46 is/are rejected.
`(1 Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`C} Claim(s)
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)(J accepted or b)() objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)1) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a)C All
`1.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date 10/20/2021,
`4) ( Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20211026
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/417,514
`LIM etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`DAKSHESH D PARIKH
`2488
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133}.
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 09/27/2021.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\0) Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAIL
`
`Notice ofPre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`[1]
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, 1s being examined underthe first
`
`inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Applicant(s) Response to OfficialAction
`
`[2]
`
`The responsefiled on 09/27/2021 has been entered and madeofrecord.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 and 35 USC § 103
`
`[3]
`
`Presented arguments have been fully considered, but are rendered mootin view of the new
`
`ground(s) of rejection necessitated by amendment(s) initiated by the applicant(s).
`
`Withdraws Objection to the Claim
`
`[4]
`
`Applicant's arguments see remarks page 9, Para 003,filed 09/27/2021, with respect to Claim
`
`45 have been fully considered and are persuasive. The objections to the Claim 45 have been
`
`withdrawn.
`
`Examiner withdraws the previously made objection.
`
`Double Patenting
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 3
`
`
`
`[5] The non-statutory double patenting rejection is based onajudicially created doctrine
`
`grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or
`
`improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible
`
`harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting rejection 1s
`
`appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application
`
`claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim 1s
`
`either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg,
`
`140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010
`
`(Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Long?, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686
`
`F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and
`
`In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
`
`A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be
`
`used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory double patenting
`
`ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with
`
`this application, or claims an invention madeasaresult of activities undertaken within the scope of a
`
`joint research agreement.
`
`Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record maysign a terminal
`
`disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b).
`
`[6]
`
`Claims 1, 8, 14, 20, 27, 33 and 39-46 are provisionally reyected on the ground of nonstatutory
`
`obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1, 7, 3, 19, 25, 31 of co-pending
`
`Application No 16/417517, in view of US Publication Chuangetal. (US20180070110A1)
`
`(hereinafter Chuang) and further in view of Wanget al. (US20130136175A1)
`
`(hereinafter Wang).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 4
`
`Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other
`
`because it is merely 1n the terminology used in both sets of claims.
`
`The subject matter claimed tn the instant application 1s fully disclosed in the referenced
`
`patent and would be covered by any patent granted on that patents since the referenced patents and
`
`the instant application are claiming commonsubject matter, as follows:
`
`predictor, and a memory, wherein the
`
`Instant Application: 16/417,517
`7. An image encoder comprising:
`a splitter which,
`in operation,
`receives and splits an original
`picture into blocks; a first adder
`which,
`in operation, receives the
`blocks from the splitter and
`predictions from a prediction
`controller, and subtracts each
`prediction from its corresponding
`block to output a residual; a
`transformer which,
`in operation,
`performs a transform on the residuals
`outputted from the adder to output
`transform coefficients; a quantizer
`which,
`in operation, quantizes the
`transform coefficients to generate
`quantized transform coefficients;
`an entropy encoder which,
`in
`operation, encodes the quantized
`transform coefficients to generate a
`bitstream; an inverse quantizer and
`transformer which,
`in operation,
`inverse quantizes the quantized
`transform coefficients to obtain the
`transform coefficients and inverse
`transforms the transform coefficients
`
`to obtain the residuals; a second
`adder which,
`in operation, adds the
`residuals outputted from the inverse
`quantizer and transformer and the
`predictions outputted from the
`prediction controller to reconstruct
`the blocks; and
`the prediction controller coupled to
`an inter predictor, an intra
`
`*Note: Bold indicates the common subject matter
`
`Co-pending Application: 16/417514
`8.
`(Currently Amended) An image
`encoder comprising:
`a splitter which,
`in operation,
`receives and splits an original
`picture into blocks; a first adder
`which,
`in operation, receives the
`blocks from the splitter and
`predictions from a prediction
`controller, and subtracts each
`prediction from its corresponding
`block to output a residual;
`a transformer which,
`in operation,
`performs a transform on the residuals
`outputted from the adder to output
`transform coefficients;
`a quantizer which,
`in operation,
`quantizes the transform coefficients
`to generate quantized transform
`coefficients;
`in
`an entropy encoder which,
`operation, encodes the quantized
`transform coefficients to generate a
`bitstream;
`an inverse quantizer and transformer
`which,
`in operation,
`inverse
`quantizes the quantized transform
`coefficients to obtain the transform
`coefficients and inverse transforms
`the transform coefficients to obtain
`
`the residuals;
`in operation,
`a second adder which,
`adds the residuals outputted from the
`inverse quantizer and transformer and
`the predictions outputted from the
`prediction controller to reconstruct
`the blocks; and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`
`Page 5
`
`the prediction controller coupled to
`an inter predictor, an intra
`predictor, and a memory, wherein the
`inter predictor,
`in operation,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on a reference block in
`
`an encoded reference picture and the
`intra predictor,
`in operation,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on an encoded reference
`
`in operation,
`inter predictor,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on a reference block in
`
`an encoded reference picture and the
`intra predictor,
`in operation,
`generates a prediction of a current
`block based on an encoded reference
`
`block in a current picture, wherein
`the prediction controller,
`in
`operation:
`
`in response to a size of the current
`block of the picture satisfying a
`first condition, splits the current
`block into sub blocks along a single
`direction, wherein,
`in response to
`the size of the current block
`
`the
`satisfying a second condition,
`splitting along the single direction
`includes splitting the current block
`along a shorter side of the current
`block into an even number of sub
`
`blocks having a same size; and in
`response to the size of the current
`block not satisfying the second
`condition,
`the splitting along the
`single direction includes splitting
`the current block into sub blocks
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`having different sizes;
`in response to the size of the
`current block not satisfying the
`first condition, splits the block
`into four sub blocks along vertical
`and horizontal directions,
`the four
`sub blocks having a same size; and
`encodes the sub blocks of the current
`block.
`
`block in a current picture, wherein
`the prediction controller,
`in
`operation:
`in response to splitting a block of a
`picture into sub blocks along a
`single direction, sets one or more
`partition-selection parameters toa
`set of values, the partition-
`parameters including a
`horizontal-vertical partition mode
`parameter indicating a horizontal or
`a vertical direction, wherein:
`in response to splitting the block
`into four sub blocks along the single
`direction using first block
`partitioning information, each of the
`sub blocks having a same size, sets
`the one or more partition-selection
`parameters to a first set of values,
`the first set of including a value
`for the horizontal-vertical partition
`mode parameter
`indicating the single
`direction;
`and
`in response to splitting the block
`into three sub blocks along the
`single direction using second block
`partitioning information,
`ratios of
`
`sizes of the sub blocks being 1
`:2:
`sets
`the one or more partition-
`selection parameters to a second set
`of values different from the first
`set of
`the second set of
`f values,
`values including the value for the
`horizontal-vertical
`partition mode
`parameter indicating the single
`direction;
`encodes the sub blocks of the block;
`and writes the one or more parameters
`into
`the bit stream.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`selection
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`[7]
`
`Referring to claims 8, although conflicting application 16/417,517 do not explicitly disclose
`
`what’s claimed in instant application 16/417514, “... sets one or more partition-selection parameters
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 6
`
`to a set of values, the partition- selection parameters including a horizontal-vertical partition mode
`
`parameter indicating a horizontal or a vertical direction, wherein: 1n response to splitting the block
`
`into four sub blocks along the single direction usingfirst block partitioning information, each of the
`
`sub blocks having a samesize, sets the one or more partition-selection parameters to a first set of
`
`values, the first set of including a value for the horizontal-vertical partiton mode parameter
`
`indicating the single direction; and in response to splitting the block into three sub blocks along the
`
`single direction using second block partitioning information, ratios of sizes of the sub blocks being
`
`1:2: 1 sets the one or more partition-selection parameters to a secondset of values different from
`
`the first set of values, the second set of values including the value for the horizontal-vertical
`
`partition mode parameter indicating the single direction;
`
`... and writes the one or more parameters
`
`into the bit stream.”
`
`However, in the same field of endeavor Chuang and Wang combined discloses “... sets one
`
`or more partition-selection parameters to a set of values, the partition- selection parameters
`
`including a horizontal-vertical partition mode parameter indicating a horizontal or a vertical
`
`direction, wherein: 1n response to splitting the block into four sub blocks along the single direction
`
`using first block partitioning information, each of the sub blocks having a samesize, sets the one or
`
`more partition-selection parameters to a first set of values,the first set of including a value for the
`
`horizontal-vertical partition mode parameter indicating the single direction; and in response to
`
`splitting the block into three sub blocks along the single direction using second block partitioning
`
`information, ratios of sizes of the sub blocks being 1 :2: 1 sets the one or more partition-selection
`
`parameters to a secondset of values different from the first set of values, the second set of values
`
`including the value for the horizontal-vertical partition mode parameter indicating the single
`
`direction;
`
`... and writes the one or more parameters into the bit stream.” /Chuang: Fig. 8, Para 0099,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 7
`
`0100, and Wang: Fig. 4A-B and 5B, and associate text, Para 0066, 0070-0071, 0074-0075, 0083, 0088,
`
`0146]
`
`Therefore, tt would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art at the time of
`
`the invention to modify the system disclosed by conflicting application 16/417,517 add the
`
`teachings of Chuang and Wang as above,in order to in order to determine the partition mode that
`
`exhibits the most optimal rate-distortion. /Wang: Para 0075]
`
`[8]
`
`Claim 1, 14, 20, 27 and 33 are analogues the device claim 8, therefore, at least for this reason
`
`claim 1, 14, 20, 27 and 33 are rejected similarly to claim 8.
`
`[9]
`
`Regarding dependentclaims 39-46, Claims 39-46 correspondto claim 1, 7, 3, 19, 25, 31 of
`
`conflicting Co-pending Application 16/417517 and obvious over Chuang and Wang.
`
`Notcere prior art available under both pre-AIA and AIA
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to ATA 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) 1s incorrect, any correction of the
`
`statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new groundof rejection if the priorart
`
`relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same undereitherstatus.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 8
`
`The following 1s a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed mvention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not
`identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of thistitle, if the differences between the claimedinvention
`and the prior art are such that the claimed mvention as a whole would have been obvious before the
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the
`claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was
`made.
`
`Thefactual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966),
`that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C.
`103 are summarized as follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims atissue.
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinentart.
`4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or
`nonobviousness.
`
`This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims
`the examiner presumesthat the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned
`as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary.
`Applicantis advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and
`effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing
`date of the later invention 1n order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C.
`102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
`
`[10]
`
`Claim 1, 8, 14, 20, 27, 33, 39-46 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Chuang et al. (US20180070110A1) (hereinafter Chuang) and further tn view of Wangetal.
`
`(US20130136175A1)
`
`(hereinafter Wang).
`
`Regarding Claim 8, Chuang meets the limitations as follows:
`
`An image encoder /Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 0052-0053, 0177, discloses an
`
`image encoder] comprising:
`
`a splitter which, tn operation, receives and splits an original picture into
`
`blocks; /48 Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 0055, discloses splittingpicture in LOU]
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 9
`
`a first adder which, in operation, receives the blocks from the splitter and
`
`predictions from a prediction controller, and subtracts each prediction from its
`
`corresponding block to output a residual; [50 Pig. 2, and associated text, Para 0056,
`
`0059)
`
`a transformer which, tn operation, performs a transform on the residuals
`
`outputted from the adder to output transform coefficients; 92 Fag. 2, and assocated
`
`text, Para 0053, 0065-0066]
`
`a quantizer which, in operation, quantizes the transform coefficients to
`
`generate quantized transform coefficients; [54 Fug. 2, and associated text, Para 0053,
`
`0066]
`
`an entropy encoder which, in operation, encodes the quantized transform
`
`coefficients to generate a bitstream; /56 Pig. 2, and associated text, Para 0053, 0056,
`
`0058, 0064, 0066-0067]
`
`an inverse quantizer and transformer which, in operation, inverse quantizes
`
`the quantized transform coefficients to obtain the transform coefficients and inverse
`
`transforms the transform coefficients to obtain the residuals; [58 Fig. 2, and associated
`
`text, Para 0053, 0068)
`
`a second adder which, in operation, adds the residuals outputted from the
`
`inverse quantizer and transformer and the predictions outputted from the prediction
`
`controller to reconstruct the blocks; /62 Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 053, 0056,
`
`0068) and
`
`the prediction controller coupled to an inter predictor, an intra predictor, and
`
`a memory, wherein the inter predictor, in operation, generates a prediction of a
`
`current block based on a reference block in an encoded reference picture and the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 10
`
`intra predictor, 1n operation, generates a prediction of a current block based on an
`
`encoded reference block in a current picture, /Fig. 2, and associated text, Para 0052-
`
`0058, 0068-0072] wherein the prediction controller, in operation:
`
`in response to splitting a block of a picture into sub blocks along a single
`
`direction, /2.e. Partitioningpicture in sub-blocks, horizontal binary tree, vertical binary tree,
`
`horizontal triple tree, and vertical triple tree; Fig. 8, Para 0100-0107] sets one or more
`
`partition-selection parameters to a set of values, the partition- selection parameters
`
`including a horizontal-vertical partition mode parameter indicating a horizontal or a
`
`vertical direction, /7.e. wdeo encoder 20 may signalfor each type ofpartitioning that ispossible
`
`using a codewords, for example 3 bit binary code, where left most bin indicating where CU is split or
`
`not, O=n0 split, 1=split, second bin represents the PT spht direction, O= horizontal split, 1=
`
`vertical split, and third bin represents the PT split mode , O= binary tree and 1 = center-side triple
`
`tree); Fig. 8, Para 0100, and number of bits required to signal PTpartitioning information is
`
`according to the mutti-tree-type structure.; Para 0102)
`
`wherein:
`
`
`
`in response to splitting the block into three sub blocks along the single
`
`direction using second block partitioning information, ratios of sizes of the sub
`
`blocks being 1 :2: 1 sets the one or more partition-selection parameters to eseeond
`
`
`
`setof-rahres-ditterentfromthefestsetofrakres;the secondset of values including
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 11
`
`the value for the horizontal-vertical partition mode parameterindicating the single
`
`direction; /2.e. video encoder 20 may signalfor the variouspartitioning schemes that arepossible in
`
`the PT-portion ofa multi-type tree-partitioned block partitions, where binary codeword "111"
`
`indicates vertical center-side triple tree-basedpartitioning, the binary codeword "101" indicates
`
`horizontal center-side triple tree-basedpartitioning, where left most bin indicating where CU is split
`
`or not, O=n0 split, 1=sphit, second bin represents the PT spht direction, O= horizontal spht, 1=
`
`vertical split, and third bin represents the PT split mode , O= binary tree and 1 = center-side triple
`
`tree); Fig. 8, Para 0100, and number of bits required to signal PTpartitioning information is
`
`according to the mutti-tree-type structure.; Para 0102)
`
`encodes the sub blocks of the block, and writes the one or more parameters
`
`into the bit stream.
`
`/7.e. video encoder 20 receives a current video block within a videoframe to
`
`be encoded.; Fig. 2 and associated text, Para 0053, and bottom-right sub-block of block, IO is split
`
`horizontally according to the binary treepartitioning structure, and the resulting left sub-block ofthis
`
`split tsfurther split vertically according to the center-side triple treepartitioning structure.; Fig. 7A-
`
`B, Para 0097, and video encoder 20 may signalfor each type ofpartitioning that tspossible nithin
`
`the PTportion ofa multi-type treepartitioning structure.; Para OO99, and video encoder 20 may
`
`split the CTU adaptively, and video encoder 20 may signal a one-bitflag, or an index, or multiple
`
`jiags to enable video decoder 30 to decide or determine which ofthe above-mentioned splitting schemes
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`should be implemented.; Para 0137, and video encoder 20 and/or video decoder 30 may implement
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`the above-described techniques individually, or in any combination where two or more ofthe
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`techniques can be logically combined.; Para 0138, and It is to be recognized that ... certain acts or
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`events ofany ofthe techniques described herein can beperformed in a different sequence, may be
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`added, merged, or left out altogether; Para 0177)
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`Chuang does notexplicitly disclose the following claim limitations:
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 12
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`... in response to splitting the block into four sub blocks along the single
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`direction using first block partitioning information, each of the sub blocks having a
`
`same size, sets the one or more partition-selection parameters to a first set of values,
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`the first set of including a value for the hortzontal-vertical partition mode parameter
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`indicating the single direction; and ...
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`... a second set of values different from the first set of values, ...
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`However, in the same field of endeavor Wang discloses the deficient claim limitations, as
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`follows:
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`... in response to splitting the block into four sub blocks along the single
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`direction using first block partitioning information, each of the sub blocks having a
`
`same size, sets the one or more partition-selection parameters to a first set of values,
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`the first set of including a value for the hortzontal-vertical partition mode parameter
`
`indicating the single direction; and[1.e. CU is split into sub-CU, a four Non-square
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`partitions; Fig. 4A-B and 5B, and associate text, Para 0066, 0070-0071, 0074-0075,
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`and encoder maysignal a syntax, a flag syntax for square or non-square partition and
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`dir_flag syntax to indicate horizontal or vertical split direction for non-square
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`partitioning; Para 0083, 0088, 0146]
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`...
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`Chuang discloses portioning the a Cu into multiple non-square partitioning and encoder
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`signaling codewords(1.e. syntax) defined by numberof bits, each bit associate with
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`partitioning related information such as indicating split direction, split mode etc. and number
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`of bits required for signaling will be according to multt-tree type structure. Wang discloses
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`portioning the a Cu into four non-square partitioning and encodersignaling flags(.e.
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`syntax) where each flag associate with split information such as split type, split direction ete.
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`Therefore, 1t would be obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 13
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`filing date of the claimed invention to combining the teachings of Chuang and Wang that
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`would result in sets the one or more partition-selection parameters to a first set of values, the
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`first set of including a value for the horizontal-vertical partition mode parameterindicating
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`the single direction;
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`Therefore,
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`tt would have been obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the system disclosed by Chuang add
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`the teachings of Wang as above, in order to determine the partition mode that exhibits the
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`most optimal rate-distortion. /Wang: Para 0075)
`
`Chuang and Wang do notexplicitly disclose the following claim limitations:
`
`... asecondset of values different from the first set of values, ...
`
`However, Chuang discloses portioning the a Cu into multiple non-square partitioning and
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`encoder signaling a second set of codewords(i.e. syntax) defined by numberofbits, each bit
`
`associate with partitioning related information such as indicating split direction, split mode
`
`etc. and numberofbits required for signaling will be according to multt-tree type structure.
`
`Wang discloses portioning the a Cu into four non-square partitioning and encodersignaling
`
`a first set of flags (1.e. syntax) where each flag associate with split information suchas split
`
`type, split direction etc. Therefore, it would be obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the
`
`art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention that when the teachings of
`
`Chuang and Wang is combined, then the encoded syntax information would be unique to
`
`each partitioning type that would result in the secondset of syntax values different than the
`
`first set of syntax values in order to properly decode the partitioning type at the decoder.
`
`Therefore, combining the teachings of Chuang and Wang would result in the claimed
`
`invention.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 14
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`Regarding claim 1, the claim(s) recites analogouslimitations to claim 8 above andis/are
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`therefore rejected on the same premise. Therefore, regarding claim 1, Chuang and Wang
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`meetthe claim limitations as set forth in claim 8. /Please, refer to mapping, explanation and
`
`pertinence ofprior art reference given in claim 8; Note: current claim may contain different terminology or
`
`additional claim terms compared to the claim(s) that are referred claim(s) to meet the claim limitations of
`
`current claim. However, explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreferenceprovided in the referred claim(s)
`
`would address any differing claim limitations. Therefore, explanation andpertinence ofprior art ofreference
`
`are not duplicated, and applicant is requested to refer to explanation andpertinence ofprior art reference
`
`provided in the referred claim(s).]
`
`Regarding Claim 45, Note the Rejection for claim 1 and 8, wherein Chuang and Wang
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`further discloses
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`The image encoderof claim 1, wherein the circuitry, in operation: in
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`response to splitting the block into four partitions having a samesize using third
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`block partitioning information, sets the one or more parameters to a fourth set of
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`values indicating the block 1s to be split along two directions. /Ze. Chuang: FIG. 6B, the
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`solid Lines indicate quad tree-based splitting, and dashed lines indicate binary tree-based splitting;
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`Fig. 6B, Para 0088, video encoder 20 may signalfor the variouspartitioning schemes that are
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`possible in the PTportion ofa multi-type tree-partitioned block partitions.; Para 0100, Wang:
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`non-square [Us and PUs shown in FIG. 5B may be used in addition to the square-shaped TUs
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`and PUs ofFIG. 5A.; Para 0075, and a square_flag=1 indicates, a squarepartition, thatis
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`CUis partitioned intofour quarter-sizedpartitions equally divided horizontally and vertically and a
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`square__flag=O indicates, non-squarepartitioning; Fig. 5A, Para 0073, 0083]
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/417,514
`Art Unit: 2488
`
`Page 15
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`Chuang discloses portioning the a Cu into quad splitting and multiple non-square
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`partitioning and encodersignaling a set of codewords(1.e. syntax) defined by numberofbits,
`
`each bit associate with partitioning related information such as indicating split direction, split
`
`mode etc. and numberof bits required for signaling will be according to multi-tree type
`
`structure. Wang discloses portioning the a Cu into quad splitting, a square partition, that 1s
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`CU 1s partitioned into four quarter-sized partitions equally divided horizontally and vertically
`
`and four non-square partitioning and encodersignaling a set offlags (i.e. syntax) where each
`
`flag associate with split information suchassplit type, split direction etc. Therefore, it would
`
`be obvious to the person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the
`
`claimed invention that when the teachings of Chuang and Wang is combined, then the
`
`encoded syntax information would be unique to each partitioning type that would result in
`
`the third set of syntax values, associated with a quad splitting, which is different than thefirst
`
`and secondset of syntax values associated with triple splitting tn single direction and four
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`sub-block splitting in a single direction in order to properly decode the partitioning type at
`
`the decoder. Therefore, combining the teachings of Chuang and Wang wo